A club statement read: "The sporting judge has condemned Juventus to play their next home league game against Lecce on May 3 behind closed doors following the racist chants directed at Inter striker Mario Balotelli.

"The club has decided to appeal."

Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli had earlier voiced his anger over the abuse aimed at Balotelli.

"In the name of Juventus and the majority of its fans, I express condemnation for the racist chanting directed at Inter player Mario Balotelli," he said.

"There are no excuses and no justification for that behaviour. Episodes like this are unacceptable."

Juve coach Claudio Ranieri backed the appeal, calling the ban "unjust".

"Our lawyers will deal with this," he said.

"The stadium ban is unjust. This is not a recurrent incident as it was just one game.

"In any case, the behaviour (of the fans) was not correct.

"I am close to the lad (Balotelli) and I am very saddened for what has happened but I reiterate that it is right for us to appeal."

UEFA president Michel Platini urged clubs to continue to combat racism in football.

"Courage is needed," said the Frenchman. "From now on, the line of UEFA in a case of racist chants will be to stop the game for 10 minutes and, if it continues despite announcements, to suspended the game completely."